News

Reps Order Arrest of FCDA Officials Over Alleged Building Code Violations

Published

13 hours ago

March 13, 2025

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has directed the arrest of the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Dauda, over alleged violations of building regulations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This directive, issued by the House Committee on Public Petitions on Thursday, also includes the arrest of Muktar Galadima, Director of Development Control (FCTA), and the Director of Regional Planning.

Committee Chairman, Rep. Mike Etaba, stated that the decision aligns with the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act of 2017.

Etaba mandated the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure the officials are apprehended and brought before the committee on March 28th to address the allegations.

He noted that the warrant became necessary after the officials repeatedly ignored invitations to appear before the committee earlier in the week.

During an on-site inspection of the disputed building in Guzape, Etaba affirmed that the FCDA officials would be compelled to provide the necessary documents to verify the claims made by the petitioner.

Said he: “We had a petition that was brought before us by a Nigerian citizen in the course of investigation FCDA has refused to come and tender documents necessary for us to proceed with this investigation. But for today we have come to the site where the petition is referring to.

“We have looked at the building plans and the engineer in site who we met known as Mr. Emmanuel who we met told the committee that there is no approved building plan with him right now. We have looked at the structure, the land mark, the cantilever that the complainant who is a Nigerian that has a right to his security and safety.

“We have looked at it and we would go back to the committee and ask for more documents most especially the approved plan so that the FCDA would be able to explain to us the guideline they gave for this building to be able to determine what is actually good for this site and let Nigerians living around here have their peace.we are here to do justice to everybody”.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the Committee had at its proceedings on Tuesday adopted the petition on the issue regarding plot AO9399 cadastral zone filed by the chairman of the House committee on Custom, Elder Leke Abejide.

Counsel to Abejide, Mr. Samuel Ajayi had explained that the petition before the House committee was in respect of the development on a property at AO9399 Cadestral zone, allegedly contravening the building code of the FCT.

“We have a complain in respect to a building going on there in Guzape which trespassed into the rights of my client. We are urging the appropriate authority to take appropriate step address the issue,” he said.

News

NSITF unveils Service Charter …to collaborate with customers, stakeholders for efficiency

Published

24 seconds ago

March 14, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) on Thursday launched the NSITF Service Charter, saying it’s part of the commitment towards exceeding customers expectations.

The Managing Director of NSITF, Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye, who conducted the launching also disclosed that they are ready to collaborate with customers and stakeholders to achieve their shared goals.

He said “I am truly honoured to stand before you today as we launch the NSITF Service Charter, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our stakeholders.

“At NSITF, we understand that our customers are at the core of our operations. We recognize the direct impact our services have on the lives of millions of Nigerians, and it is our unwavering commitment to ensure that these services are delivered with the utmost professionalism, courtesy, and respect”.

Speaking on the charter, the MD said “The NSITF Service Charter symbolizes our promise to our customers – a promise to deliver services that not only meet their needs but also exceed their expectations.

“It outlines our dedication to providing timely, efficient, and effective services while setting the standards we will uphold in all our interactions with our customers”.

According to him, “This charter is built on five fundamental principles: Customer Focus: Placing our customers at the heart of everything we do; Timeliness: Responding promptly to customer inquiries and delivering services within agreed timelines; Transparency: Providing clear and concise information about our services and processes; Professionalism: Delivering services with the highest level of professionalism, courtesy, and respect and Accountability: Taking responsibility for our actions and decisions, and being accountable for the services we deliver”.

He explained that “These principles should serve as our guiding light as we endeavor to deliver exceptional service to our customers. I charge every staff member to be an ambassador of NSITF in everything we do, we should note it will impact the NSITF.

“We are committed to regularly reviewing and updating the Service Charter to ensure its relevance and effectiveness and will do as required as this also aligns with our strategic objectives of transforming the NSITF, providing effective and equitable fund services and an efficient frontline delivery system.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our customers, stakeholders, and colleagues who have played an integral role in the development of this Service Charter. Your input and feedback have been invaluable, and we are sincerely grateful for your unwavering support.

“In closing, the NSITF Service Charter is a testament of our commitment to delivering services that not only meet but exceed our customers’ expectations.

“We are resolute in upholding the principles of customer focus, timeliness, transparency, professionalism, and accountability. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with our customers and stakeholders to achieve our shared goals”, he concluded.

In her response the National Coordinator Servicom, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, commended NSITF Managing Director and the management team for a successful review of the service charter, while recognizing their dedication and hard work.

In her words: “NSITF achievement reflect on previous challenges faced when introducing new initiatives, which underscore the critical role of leadership in championing necessary changes.

To this end, she expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts that have contributed to the current progress and congratulated the Managing Director and his team on their accomplishments, while suggesting a promising outlook for future initiatives.

According to the National Coordinator, a key focus of the discussion is the introduction of a service charter designed to enhance service delivery within a government framework.”

“This charter emphasizes the importance of tracking and reporting commitments made to both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.”

“Ultimately, the overarching goal is to cultivate a culture of accountability and continuous improvement in service delivery, which will not only benefit citizens but also enhance the organization’s reputation.” She added

News

Police confirm report of lady who jumped into lagoon to her d3ath from 3rd Mainland Bridge

Published

2 minutes ago

March 14, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A n unidentified lady reportedly jumped off the Third Mainland Bridge into the waters near the University of Lagos (UNILAG) waterfront in Lagos State, resulting in her death despite rescue efforts.

The incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Thursday, and marine police officers stationed in the area swiftly responded to the emergency.

Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the report on Friday.

He stated that, despite the marine police officers’ efforts to save her, medical personnel from the University of Lagos confirmed her death upon arrival.

He stated that the deceased’s body has since been evacuated to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) Mortuary in Yaba for preservation.

He said, “Today, March 13, 2025, at about 1600 hours, an unidentified woman reportedly jumped from the Third Mainland Bridge into the water near the UNILAG waterfront at approximately 1500 hours.

“She was recovered at the University of Lagos shore slipway by a team of marine police officers stationed in the area. Despite their efforts, she was confirmed dead by a team of UNILAG medical doctors in the presence of officers from the Sabo Police Division.”

“Her body has been evacuated to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) Mortuary in Yaba, Lagos, for preservation,” Hundeyin added.

SAHARA REPORTERS

News

We’re Addressing Healthcare Funding Gaps – Prof. Pate

Published

2 hours ago

March 14, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…as Reps solicit for establishment of Healthcare Trust Fund

By Gloria Ikibah

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate has reiterated that Nigeria’s is doing everything to address all funding and policies gaps in order to tackle the challenges in the nation’s healthcare system especially in the face of the cut in funding by the United States government.

The Minister gave the assurance during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria on Thursday.

Pate explained that though the US decision was sudden, its impact was reduced as a result of the various measures put in place earlier by the federal government through policies and interventions.

He said, “So the changes that have occurred in the landscape which brought to this conversation, particularly the adjustment in U.S. policy, certainly it’s a major shift in U.S. government policy.When we looked at it from our side, we understood that in fact it’s an opportunity for research.

“And we appreciate the contribution of the U.S. government, the billions of dollars of U.S. government and U.S. people’s resources that help, but the responsibility to provide for the country is on us immediately.

“And that while we appreciate what has happened in the past, now we have to look at how do we orient ourselves to improve and continue so that no Nigerian who is doing technical care will go without treatment for HIV, for instance, malaria or other conditions.

“This change occurred at a point when we were 18 months old. We were able to have a lot of financial support because health care was very important. So we have now found that as part of our investment plan, we have an opportunity to do this.We now have another responsibility of putting more money into the Health Sector.

“So coming to the issues of HIV and tuberculosis in Nigeria, for 20, 25 years, external parties have largely funded HIV, TB, and malaria in Nigeria.And we appreciate those contributions that they have made.Because they save lives.

“They have the laboratory capacity as well as the public health capacity.And it’s welcome.And when I mentioned external parties, this included the U.S. government through the DEFRA program, the USAID, through the malaria program.

“But there are also other bilateral partners, local health organizations, local funders and others who comprise this 10%, but those 10% largely have been outside government systems.They were contracted to external parties to deliver their assistance to Nigeria through the channels that they control”.

The Minister further stated that, prior to that the Federal Government had already initiated many programs and intereventions which have started to yield results in the healthcare sector through collaboration between the federal , State and local governments in the country.

“Most have been in place and thankfully the budget process has started and so with that understanding when this shift was announced we then went in once and did a very thorough bottom-up analysis like task force, technical government, comprising all our major agencies, NACA, Public Health, AIR program, TB program, all of the programs that are relevant to what we will take for us to fill the gap.

“We have approached multiple for HIV, for Malaria, for group reproductive health for Tuberculosis, for Nutrition and Public Health Care agencies, and to update it. So, U.S. government support was mostly heavily on HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis programs”, the minister added.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Committee Chairman, Rep. Amobi Godwin Ogah said, explained that the interactive session became necessary so as to be on the same page with the ministry and to ensure that programs and projects relating to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria are implemented seamlessly without bottlenecks because of their critical importance in saving the lives of Nigerians.

He said, “My dear Coordinating Minister, we have always argued for increased domestic funding and less dependence on foreign funding for our health systems and as we are all aware of the withdrawal of financial support by the US Government towards funding for African Health systems.

“The Nigerian Government has equally risen to the occasion by allocating more resources to the fight against communicable diseases such as HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Thus, making the decision of the US Government to appear as a blessing in disguise.

“We must also commend Prof Pate and the Ministry of Health for your leadership, determination and doggedness in making a case for increased funding for the health sector to the Federal Executive Council under the prevailing circumstances, which led to the several funds that have been allocated to the health sector in recent times. This certainly will go a long way in plugging the funding gaps that the US Government decision has created”.

In an interview with journalists after the interactive session, Rep. Ogah advocated for the creation of a Healthcare SectorTrust Fund to take care of eventualities and gaps in funding.

“A lot of countries in Africa are struggling at this moment.I just came back from Tanzania on the issue of health and materials.So I think there is need.Like we have an education fund.There is a, what is it called TETFUND.

“It’s very, very important.I think looking at the challenges we are facing at the moment, we don’t want to continue facing such challenges because it happened this way today.We don’t know the way it will happen tomorrow. If not, we have a minister who is already part of the system there, it won’t be that easy for us”, he added.

Also addressing journalists afterwards, the minister of health and social welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate stated that, the lawmakers are a very important vehicle for health advocacy for improving awareness of population.

He said that, the ministry would work more closely with the national assembly members to ensure that Nigerians domesticate, internalize ideas that will help tackle malaria, HIV and Tuberculosis in the country.

He said, “there are preventive things you can do for HIV the preventive things that you can do for tuberculosis for which our first lady senator mitchinibu is the global and regional and national TV champion.

“Our parliamentarians, can educate people to get tested, for instance, and call on other parliamentarians at the state level, state assembly members, to also go to their constituents and educate their population, whether it’s water and sanitation, whether it’s nutrition,whether it’s attending primary health care, whether it’s on immunization.

“We can activate the power of the parliamentarians because they are close to the people.And that will all help us to reach the objective which Mr President has put forward that the health of Nigerians is key to human capital accumulation and is key to the prosperity that is in this country’s future”.